Muscle Nomenclature

How muscles get their names

They describe their action, location, attachments, fiber orientation, shape, size or number of heads

Names based on muscle action

Adductor

Abductor

Flexer

Extensor

Adductor

Moves a body part toward the midline

Abductor

Moves a body part away from midline

Flexor

Flexes a joint

Extensor

Extends a joint

Oris

Mouth

Cervis

Neck

Brachii/brachial

Arm

Carpi

Wrist

Pollicies

Thumb

Gluteal

Buttocks

Femoris

Thigh

Hallucis

Great toe

Superficialls

Superficial

Profundus

Deep

Names based on attachment

Cleido

Sterno

Intercostal

Subscapularis

Fibularis

Zygomaticus

Cleido

Clavicle

Sterno

Sternum

Intercostal

Between ribs

Subscapularis

Subscapular fossa

Fibularis

Fibula

Zygomaticus

Zygomatic bone

Names based on fiber orientation

Rectus

Oblique

Orbicularis

Rectus

Straight

Oblique

Angle

Orbicularis

Circular

Deltoid

Triangular

Quadratus

Rectangular

Trapezius

Trapezoidal

Longus

Long

Brevis

Short

Major

Larger of 2

Minor

Smaller of 2

Maximums

Largest

Medius

Medium sized

Miniums

Smallest

Names based on number of heads or proximal tendons

Biceps

Triceps

Quadriceps

Biceps

Two heads

Triceps

Three heads

Quadriceps

Four heads